Family discussions encourage open communication. These conversations help children and teens feel heard and understood, which strengthens trust and emotional security. Family discussions are also a chance to pass on values, address problems early, and guide younger members in making wise decisions.

When you combine family discussions with spiritual devotions it strengthens family bonds. Discussions help families understand one another, while devotions help families grow together in character and values. These practices create a safe space where love, respect, and faith are nurtured, shaping individuals who are emotionally strong, morally grounded, and spiritually aware.

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You Will Never Reach People You Don’t See

5-Day Family Devotional | August 3-7, 2026

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Day 1 — See What Jesus Sees

Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Most of us don't intentionally ignore people.

We're just busy.

We rush from one responsibility to the next, checking off lists, solving problems, and trying to keep up with life. Before long, people become part of the background instead of the reason we're here.

Jesus was busy too. Crowds surrounded Him everywhere He went. Yet somehow He never lost the ability to truly see people.

He didn't just notice faces….He noticed hearts. He saw beyond the smile, beyond the success, beyond the struggle someone was trying to hide.

Maybe the greatest miracle God wants to do this week isn't through you—it's in you.

Ask Him to open your eyes again.

When you begin seeing people the way Jesus sees them, your heart begins to change.

Simple Next Step

Before you leave your house today, pray:

"Jesus, help me see people the way You see them."

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Have you spent time in your 11:1 or read this week's Bible reading plan? What stood out to you?

2.    Why do you think it's easy to overlook people?

3.    Has someone ever really seen you during a difficult season?

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Day 2 — Compassion Changes Everything

Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone.

It's allowing someone else's burden to affect your heart.

Jesus never looked at hurting people as interruptions.

He saw opportunities to love.

Our culture teaches us to protect our time, guard our schedules, and stay comfortable. Jesus teaches us to notice.

Real compassion almost always costs something.

It costs time. It costs attention. Sometimes it costs convenience.

But those moments often become the greatest opportunities to reflect Christ.

Simple Next Step

As a family, open Ask Ezra and ask:

"What does the Bible teach about compassion?"

Read one passage together and talk about how you can live it out this week.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    What does compassion look like in everyday life?

2.    Why is compassion more than just feeling bad for someone?

3.    Who in your life may need compassion this week?

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Day 3 — Don't Rush Past the Miracle

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..."

Some of God's greatest assignments don't arrive on your calendar.

They simply cross your path….

A conversation at work. A neighbor outside. A cashier having a rough day. A friend who suddenly opens up.

If we're always in a hurry, we'll often miss what God is doing right in front of us, but Jesus rarely seemed rushed. He had time for interruptions because He understood they were often divine appointments.

Maybe slowing down isn't about accomplishing less…Maybe it's about noticing more.

Simple Next Step

Open Ask Ezra and ask:

"What does the Bible say about loving my neighbor?"

Choose one practical way your family can put that into practice this week.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    When have you been too busy to notice someone?

2.    Why do you think God often works through ordinary moments?

3.    What is one way our family can slow down enough to notice people?

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Day 4 — Move Toward People

Romans 12:13 (NIV)

"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

Seeing people is only the beginning.

But it’s love that moves us toward others.

Jesus crossed cultural barriers. He entered people's homes. He stopped for those everyone else ignored. He moved toward hurting people.

Sometimes we wait until we know exactly what to say before we reach out.

But often people don't need perfect words. They simply need someone willing to show up.

A text.

A phone call.

A meal.

A prayer.

Small acts of love often become open doors for the Gospel.

Simple Next Step

Reach out to one person today who may need encouragement.

Don't overthink it.

Just move toward them.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Why is taking the first step often the hardest?

2.    What are simple ways we can move toward people this week?

3.    Who could our family encourage together?

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Day 5 — A Heart That Looks Like Jesus

Matthew 9:38 (NIV)

"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Before Jesus told His disciples to go...He told them to pray.

Why?

Because prayer changes us before it changes our circumstances.

When we spend time with God, our hearts begin to care about what He cares about. We start noticing what He notices. We begin loving people the way He loves them.

The mission of Jesus doesn't begin with better strategies, it begins with transformed hearts.

Maybe your prayer this week is simple.

"Jesus, break my heart for what breaks Yours."

That's where being sent always begins.

Simple Next Step

As a family, ask Ask Ezra:

"What does the Bible teach about sharing our faith?"

Choose one person you can begin praying for together this week.

Family Discussion Questions

1.    Have you engaged with your 11:1 or read this week's Bible reading plan?

2.    Why do you think Jesus told His disciples to pray before He told them to go?

3.    Who is one person our family can begin praying for this week?

Don’t Be Rattled

5-Day Family Devotional | July 27-31, 2026

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Day 1 — Don't Let Your Heart Be Troubled

John 14:1 (NIV)

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."

Every generation has reasons to be anxious.

Bad news spreads faster than good news. Relationships become strained. Plans change. The future feels uncertain.

Yet Jesus begins one of His most important conversations with these words: "Do not let your hearts be troubled."

Notice He doesn't say, "You'll never have trouble."

He says, "Don't let trouble take over your heart."

The disciples had every reason to panic. Jesus had just told them He was leaving.

Everything they'd built their lives around felt like it was falling apart. Yet Jesus invited them to anchor themselves in something stronger than their circumstances—Him.

Peace isn't found when life settles down. Peace is found when our hearts settle into Christ.

The world may shake around you, but when your heart is anchored in Jesus, you don't have to be rattled.

Reflection/Family Discussion Question

·      What has been troubling your heart lately? Have you been giving it more attention than you've been giving Jesus?

• What has been causing you the most stress or anxiety lately?
• How can we remind each other to trust Jesus instead of our circumstances?

Simple Next Step

Open Ask Ezra and ask:

"What does the Bible teach about finding peace in anxious seasons?"

Choose one Scripture it shares and pray through it today.

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Day 2 — Remember Where You Belong

Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."

One reason we become rattled so easily is because we forget where our true home is.

We expect this world to satisfy us.

We expect life to always be comfortable.

We expect everyone to understand our values.

But Jesus never promised any of those things.

As disciples, we're living for a different Kingdom. That doesn't mean we withdraw from the world.

It means we don't depend on the world for our identity, hope, or security.

When your home is in heaven, temporary struggles don't have the final word. An eternal perspective gives us peace in temporary problems.

Reflection/Family Discussion Questions

·      Have you been living more for temporary comfort or eternal purpose?

• What are some things our culture says are most important?
• How does remembering that our citizenship is in heaven change the way we live today?

Simple Next Step

Spend five minutes thanking God for the eternal hope He's given you. Ask Him to help you live with heaven in view today.

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Day 3 — Follow the Person, Not Just the Path

John 14:6 (NIV)

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Thomas wanted directions.

Jesus offered Himself.

He didn't simply point toward the way….He is the Way.

He didn't merely teach truth…He is the Truth.

He didn't simply offer life…He is Life.

That's still true today.

When life feels confusing, our greatest need isn't more information.

Our greatest need is a deeper relationship with Jesus.

The closer we remain to Him, the clearer our direction becomes.

Instead of asking, "What's the right path?" Begin asking, "Am I staying close to Jesus?"

When you stay close to Him, He faithfully leads each step.

Reflection/Family Discussion Questions

·      Whose voice has been shaping your thinking more than Jesus' voice?

• What voices compete for your attention every day?
• How can your family make God's Word a greater priority this week?

Simple Next Step

Open Ask Ezra and ask:

"Why did Jesus say He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life?"

Read through the response and write down one truth that encourages you today.

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Day 4 — Fruit Grows in the Valley

James 1:2–4 (NIV)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..."

None of us volunteer for valleys.

We would rather avoid the pressure, uncertainty, disappointment, and pain that difficult seasons bring. But God often does His deepest work there.

James reminds us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance.

Pressure can produce patience.

Testing can produce endurance.

Difficulty can produce maturity.

That doesn't mean every painful situation is good. It means God is so faithful that He can bring something good out of even the seasons we would never have chosen.

Some of the sweetest fruit in a disciple's life is produced in the valley.

The valley teaches us to trust. It deepens our dependence on God. It reminds us that His presence is enough.

Don't waste the valley asking only, "God, get me out." Also ask, "God, what are You growing in me?"

Reflection/Family Discussion Questions

·      What might God be developing in you through your current season?

• Looking back, how has God used a difficult season to grow your faith?
• What fruit do you think God wants to produce through the challenges you're facing today?

Simple Next Step

Take five minutes today to thank God—not for your hardship—but for His promise to use it for your good and His glory.

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Day 5 — Draw Near

Hebrews 10:19–22 (NIV)

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings..."

When life becomes difficult, our natural tendency is often to pull away.

We stop praying.

We isolate ourselves.

We become distracted.

We allow fear, disappointment, or shame to create distance between us and God.

But Hebrews gives us a better invitation…Draw near.

Because of Jesus, we don't have to wonder if we're welcome in God's presence.

Jesus has already made a way.

That means when life feels uncertain...Draw near.

When you're discouraged...Draw near.

When you've failed...Draw near.

When you don't understand what God is doing...Draw near.

The world may shake.

People may criticize.

Plans may change.

But Jesus remains faithful.

When your life is anchored in Him, you don't have to be rattled.

Keep remaining.

Keep trusting.

Keep drawing near.

Reflection/Family Discussion Questions

·      When life gets difficult, do you naturally draw closer to God or drift away?

• What tends to pull you away from spending time with Jesus?
• What's one practical step you can take this week to remain close to Him?

Simple Next Step

Open Ask Ezra and ask:

"What does Hebrews 10:19–22 teach us about drawing near to God?"

Choose one practical way you can draw near to God today, and make it part of your daily rhythm this week.